Roll Call Tribute

Terry Allen Howell, Sr. 

September 7, 1947 - September 12, 2024 

Dr. Terry Allen Howell, Sr., 77, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024 in Cedar Park, Texas. Born on September 7, 1947 in Dallas, the son of Levi Lowe (LL) Howell, III and Lila Lee Howell--the family ultimately moved to Richardson before settling in Edgewood, TX, his hometown. He enrolled at Texas A&M University in the fall of 1965. Graduating in 1969(BS), 1970(MS) and completing his PhD in 1974. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Company D-1 (Spider D). Terry married Mary Sue Parkerson on February 22, 1969. They met in high school and enjoyed a loving marriage for over 55 years. They had three children: Terry, Jr. (Kristin), Lisa LaGrone (Terry), and Michael (Katie). He was Poppa T to 13 grandchildren; Brenna, Lane, and Colby Howell; Faith, Lily, and Bella Dreibrodt; Matthew, Megan, Madison, and Mackenzie LaGrone; and Henrie, Slaton, and Willie Howell. Terry is also survived by his brother J. Lee Howell (Helen), and nieces LeeAnn Loup(Jimmy) and Cindy Hallman(Brett), and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his steadfast devotion to his faith, family, and the Fightin’ Texas Aggies, Dr. Howell distinguished himself internationally for his contributions to irrigation water management.

Terry worked for over 35 years with the USDA Agricultural Research Service as a research engineer and then laboratory director. He set out to not only be a good engineer, but to be a difference-making engineer. He dedicated his research to understanding the relationship between crops and water, preserving the water used in irrigation towards maximizing agricultural productivity needed to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. He was known around the globe for his ideas and accomplishments in water resources engineering. His work was vital, and remains vital, in helping our world sustainably provide food and fiber for humankind. He has been recognized by numerous organizations for his achievements, among them, serving 55 years as a member and Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, receiving the John Deere Gold Medal, their highest award, in 2008. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, and Fellow of The Soil Science Association. He was the Irrigation Association’s person of the year in 1995. He was recognized as a Distinguished Former Student by the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2014 and as an Outstanding Alumni in 2019. Perhaps his proudest professional accomplishment was being named to the USDA ARS Science Hall of Fame in 2017. He authored or co-authored nearly 400 academic publications. Moreover, Terry was a beloved colleague, mentor, and leader to many. He built friendships and collaborated with other scientists around the world. He truly loved his professional community and was so humbled by their mutual respect for him and their impact on his life.

Terry’s dedication and loyalty to Texas A&M University were unwavering—he bled maroon. He was proud to have been a member of the Corps of Cadets and proud to be an agricultural engineer (a true Ag E). His Corps buddies from Spider D and the Class of ’69 have been true friends to him over the years, and their loyalty to each other is inspiring. Their bond has stayed true for nearly 60 years. Terry considered Scoates Hall (the ag engineering building on campus) the epitome of architectural beauty. He followed all Aggie sporting events and had strong opinions on most things happening on campus. He was known to send emails and letters to university administrators sharing his ideas for preserving and building his beloved institution. His wardrobe was filled with Aggie t-shirts, hats, and accessories for every occasion. He loved buying and gifting books from Texas A&M University Press.

Terry was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and cared deeply for his family. He set an example of service, sacrifice, and hard work. Always very proud of his kids and grandkids and their achievements, though he may have been a little too “vocally engaged” in some of their sporting events. He was never afraid to defend his kids from a bad call or slight, no matter the cost to his self-respect or their embarrassment. He never turned down a request to play catch. He was a perfect science project mentor and math tutor. His slide-rule technique and skills were known far and wide. He was a legendary long-haul road trip driver. He loved to welcome people from all over the world into his home for a steak and all the fixins regardless of the language barriers or cultural differences. He and Sue made a great team for caring for each other and for their family.

Above all, Terry’s faith was central to his character. He was raised in a Christian home and at a young age embraced the teachings of Jesus Christ and began a lifelong relationship with his Lord. In his early 40s he began to invest more of his life in Bible study and reflection. He was a very active member of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, TX, serving on several committees, ordained a Deacon, the occasional Sunday school teacher, and a faithful servant in a variety of ministries. He treated others with kindness and gentleness, doing his best to live out the teachings of Christ. Terry was affected by a challenging and occasionally debilitating disease for much of his adult life. He suffered from dystonia and torticollis for over 57 years and then Parkinson’s and multiple myeloma over the last decade. The dystonia was a nuisance to him, but he never complained about these challenges publicly. He found ways to work around them and still impact our family and those in his profession. He was an early adopter of technology that would allow him to communicate quickly and often, and he used his platform with the USDA to write in its Disability Awareness Newsletter about the effects on him from his posture to a weakening voice and hand tremors affecting his ability to communicate. He remained a faithful disciple no matter how difficult or uncertain his physical challenges.

We are grateful for the full life he has lived and that his earthly suffering has ended.

Our family wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the love and excellent care given to Terry by Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Center and Kindful Hospice. We all truly appreciate the support and visits from New Hope FBC Homebound and Cancer Care groups.

There will be a Memorial service at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 20 at Beck Funeral Home (1700 E. Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX), with a visitation and reception to follow.

He will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery at 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in Edgewood, TX. Visitation and reception at First Baptist Church Family Life Center will follow from 2-4 PM (FM 859, Edgewood, TX).

Memorials may be made to:

Dr. Terry A. Howell, Sr. Agriculture Scholarship, West Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016-0001

New Hope First Baptist Church, 200 W. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park, TX 78613

The Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Dr., College Station, TX 77840

If giving by check, please enter “in memory of Terry A. Howell” in the memo line.

To donate online, go to https://give.am (https://give.am/), go to ‘select a unit or college’, select ‘Unlisted Account’, enter Account name as ‘Class of '69 Gift Fund’, and under ‘Gift Details’, select ‘This gift is in honor of someone special’ and enter Terry A. Howell.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to wear Aggie maroon.